Android
September 2023 Android Feature Drop: New Features for Google Services on All Android Phones
Google has announced the September 2023 Android Feature Drop, which introduces new features to various Google services on Android devices. The new features aim to improve the user experience and provide more convenience and accessibility.
September 2023 Android Feature Drop update for Google devices arrives with several new features including WhatsApp for Wear OS, Glance Widget, Lookout, Google Assistant, Gmail, and more.
You can check the details of all the new features below.
Assistant At a Glance Widget
The At a Glance widget displays helpful information on the home screen of the device. The widget can show dynamic travel updates, such as flight status, baggage info, and hotel check-in. The widget can also show other relevant information, such as weather, calendar events, and reminders.
Google Wallet
One of the new features is the photo import for passes in Google Wallet, which allows users to scan or upload images of cards that have barcodes or QR codes, such as gym memberships, library cards, or grocery loyalty cards. The cards are then stored digitally in Google Wallet, where they can be accessed easily and securely.
Google Assistant
Google also added new options for Google Fit or Fitbit users to access their fitness data with Google Assistant. Users can now ask Google Assistant to tell them their sleep data and step count by saying “Hey Google, good morning”. The assistant will then provide audio feedback on the hours slept, sleep time start, and steps taken the previous day.
Lookout
Lookout is an app that uses AI to generate more detailed descriptions of visual content. You can open an image and ask follow-up questions to learn more about what is in the image. You can type or use your voice to ask the questions. Lookout supports 34 languages, including 11 new ones such as Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. This makes Lookout more accessible and useful for people who speak different languages.
New Features of Wear OS
WhatsApp for Wear OS allows users to securely send and receive messages, answer calls, and keep up with chats without having to get out of their phones. With Google Maps, you can find new places, place information, and directions on your smartwatch.
Translate email easily on Gmail
You can easily understand emails in different languages with the Gmail mobile app. It will ask you if you want to translate any email that is not in your preferred language. You can choose to see the translation right on the app.
You can check more details and features here…
Google is preparing to bring contextual video search support to the Circle to Search feature. AndroidAuthority spotted strings in the latest Google app for Android suggesting the potential arrival of contextual video search support.
In the recent past, Google significantly improved the Circle to Search feature. It added quickly sharing clipped on-screen items, song search, and QR code scanning support. Now, Circle to Search is preparing to upgrade with video search support.
Google’s AI-powered Circle to Search tool will allow you to search within any video. You will be able to trigger Circle to Search on locally stored videos apart from those available on the internet and social media.
Earlier this year, Samsung debuted the Circle to Search feature with the Galaxy S24 series. The company announced that the function will remain exclusive to select Galaxy and Pixel phones till October 2024.
In the meantime, Samsung and Google updated their Galaxy and Pixel phones with Circle to Search feature. Galaxy phones received it with the One UI 6.1 update, while Pixel phones added it with the June 2024 Feature Drop.
Recently, Samsung released Circle to Search for Galaxy A55 and A35. The AI-powered search tool is now available on a wide array of Pixel and Galaxy phones. Google is also preparing to optimize it for Android so a vast audience can make use of it.
Google is working to make Circle to Search functional with messaging bubbles in Android 15. Currently, the unique way to search doesn’t function when a messaging bubble is active, but that will change in a future Android 15 release.
MishaalRahman spotted code in the Android 15 source code that enables Circle to Search to be run when messaging bubbles have been expanded. This development indicates that Google is aware of the limitations and working to address them soon.
Circle to Search won’t activate if you have a messaging bubble active on the screen. It renders the user opt for an alternate way to search like opening Chrome. It becomes frustrating if you have to search for something right from the chat bubble.
It’s worth noting that the required code debuted in Android 15 Beta 4. The company has not used it in Android 15 nor the latest Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 release. Mishaal activated the feature manually by making some changes in the code.
Android currently doesn’t allow the home button or navigation handle to be long-pressed if a messaging bubble is active. Google would simply make improvements in this aspect so the handle/home button to be long-pressed.
Messaging bubbles
Google introduced the messaging bubbles feature in Android 11. This feature allows Android smartphone users to have active conversations floating as bubbles on top of other apps, making it easier to multitask while chatting.
Circle to Search is reportedly coming to more Android devices next month. In an exciting development, Tecno announced that the Circle to Search will be available on its new foldable, the Phantom V Fold 2, starting October 2024.
Samsung debuted Circle to Search with the Galaxy S24 series. It’s developed by Google in close partnership with the Galaxy maker. Google also expanded the feature to all of its Tensor-powered Pixel smartphones with Feature Drop.
We knew Circle to Search wouldn’t be available on non-Galaxy and Pixel phones till this October. Samsung already announced the availability of this feature will remain limited to certain phones made by either Samsung or Google.
It seems Samsung may have reached an agreement with Google. In order to showcase Galaxies supreme in the Android ecosystem, both firms may have restricted the expansion of the Circle to Search for at least 10 months.
Google has been regularly working to optimize Circle to Search for all Android phones. As it’s coming to Tecno phone next month, we expect other leading vendors including Xiaomi, Vivo, OnePlus, and OPPO will also be joined.
Well, Google hasn’t officially announced the expansion of Circle to Search. As Tecno is also a Google partner, this spirited claim couldn’t be untrue. Pay attention, Google has an ambitious plan to fuel 200 million Androids with Circle to Search.